Objective
The purpose of this assignment is to define the terms of the assignment for potential service expert/consultant to produce a feasibility study report assessing the technical considerations and enabling conditions of the potential site/s, including risks to the project area/s, key legal and tenure issues, land cover and forest condition, biodiversity assessment, and community assessment. The results of this feasibility study include the fulfillment of the completion of the Strategy, Intervention, Activity, and Monitoring plan.
The Feasibility Study should be conducted in close consultation with the project operator and the community to provide good quality information, for the project operator to develop a well-designed project, suitable to local conditions and which is likely to achieve significant carbon, climate, community, and biodiversity benefits.
Senior Biodiversity Expert will be responsible for biodiversity component of the feasibility assessment
Scope of Work for Senior Biodiversity Expert
- Review of available biodiversity and other literature about the potential site, including forestry management plans and measures and other relevant documents belong to the land owner. The result of the review will be written in a gap analysis spreadsheet.
- Develop technical proposals for rapid biodiversity assessment based on SRN, VCS and CCB Standard consisting of robust methodologies for data collection, ensuring accuracy and reliability of data and designing detailed field visit plans, including objectives, timelines, questionnaire and logistical arrangements.
- Conduct a rapid biodiversity assessment to list out the existing biodiversity conditions.
- Assess the project strategy/main intervention activities, indicator, milestone, risk to the project, and mitigation actions to address the risk related to biodiversity.
- Prepare the final Feasibility Study Report covering expected Ecosystem Service Outcomes, Strategy, Intervention, Activity and Monitoring Plan table containing the desk-based and field-based findings, including recommendations and proposed next steps for further development.
- Involve and collaborate with the Project Operator on all aspects mentioned above to ensure that Project Operator understands the approach and methodology used during the feasibility study and ensure the local community is appropriately consulted on all relevant aspects of the feasibility study, in collaboration with the Project Operator.
- Draft and finalize feasibility study reports, incorporating data analysis and field observations.
- Participate in catch-up meetings with CarbonEthics and clients to provide updates, discuss project progress and to ensure alignment and collaboration on shared goals.
- Another relevant required task assigned by team leader
Deliverables:
- Technical proposals for rapid biodiversity assessment with compliance to SRN, VCS and CCB Standard with gap analysis as basis and detailed field visit plans, including objectives, timelines, questionnaire/tally sheet and logistical arrangements.
- Field visit reports summarizing the locations visited, interviews held, overview of data collected and key findings, as well as any remaining informational gaps identified
- Draft and final feasibility study reports, incorporating data analysis and field observations consisting but not limited to biodiversity assessment result, baseline scenario, additionality assessment, recommended project activities, risk assessment and mitigation plan, etc.
- A well-structured folder containing all the data collected and compiled (both spatial and non-spatial data, and field as well as desktop study data), analysis calculation sheets, related information and documentation evidence of the assignment.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental science, sustainability, natural resource management, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
- 5+ years of experience in conducting biodiversity assessment.
- Experience in conducting feasibility studies or project design for carbon projects is preferred
- Strong understanding of biodiversity and carbon standards, methodologies, and certification processes (e.g., Verra, Gold Standard, SRN).
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse teams and communities